Connection device

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable mechanism for connecting two or more shafts, including at least a first shaft having an external surface with an outer diameter and a second shaft which is hollow at a first end, wherein a spring is anchored to the first end of the second shaft, the spring having an inner diameter of similar dimensions to the outer diameter of the first shaft, the spring configured such that when a force is applied to the spring its inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the first shaft so that the second shaft can move over the first shaft to a desired position relative to the first shaft, and when the force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original inner diameter to bear against the external surface of the first shaft.

I claim: 
     
       1. A mechanism for connection of two or more shafts in an adjustable position relative to one another, comprising
 at least a first shaft having at least a portion which is a rigid tube having an external surface with an outer diameter, and 
 a second shaft having at least a portion which is a rigid tube and which is hollow at least in a portion at a first end, 
 wherein a spring is anchored to the first end of the second shaft, 
 the spring having an inner diameter of similar dimensions to the outer diameter of the first shaft, 
 the spring configured such that when a force is applied to the spring its inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the first shaft enabling the second shaft to be moved over the first shaft to a desired position relative to the first shaft, said hollow portion of the second shaft receiving at least a portion of said first shaft, and 
 when the force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original inner diameter to bear against the external surface of the first shaft, 
 and wherein the mechanism includes 
 a second spring anchored to an end of the first shaft, the second spring having an outer diameter of similar dimensions to the hollow portion of the second shaft 
 to inhibit rotation of the shafts relative to one another when in the desired position. 
 
     
     
       2. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an end of the spring when the force is not applied, has a greater inner diameter than the inner diameter of the spring at a location away from the end. 
     
     
       3. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a free end of the spring is configured as a continuous ring of material. 
     
     
       4. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said continuous ring of material comprises a spring engagement detail configured to cooperate with a spring engagement tool to apply a force to the spring. 
     
     
       5. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said spring engagement detail comprises a flange. 
     
     
       6. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said flange includes a plurality of flat walls. 
     
     
       7. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said continuous ring of material includes an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the spring and the outer diameter of the first shaft. 
     
     
       8. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said spring is configured as a helical cut in said rigid tube. 
     
     
       9. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second spring is received within the rigid tube portion of the second shaft. 
     
     
       10. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second shafts form one of a golf club, ladder, bicycle seat post, furniture, walking cane, tent pole and ski pole. 
     
     
       11. A mechanism for connection of two or more shafts in an adjustable position relative to one another, comprising:
 at least a first shaft comprising a rigid tube, and 
 a second shaft comprising a rigid tube having a hollow first end, the hollow first end having an internal surface with an inner diameter, 
 wherein a spring is anchored to an end of the first shaft, 
 the spring having an outer diameter of similar dimensions to the inner diameter of the second shaft, 
 the spring configured such that when a force is applied to the spring its outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the second shaft enabling the second shaft to be moved over the spring to a desired position relative to the first shaft, and 
 when the force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original outer diameter to bear against the internal surface of the second shaft, and 
 wherein the mechanism for connection comprises a device to inhibit rotation of the shafts relative to one another when in the desired position. 
 
     
     
       12. A mechanism for connection as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the device is a second spring anchored to an end of the second shaft. 
     
     
       13. A mechanism for connection as claimed in  claim 11  to wherein an end of the spring has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the spring at a location away from the end. 
     
     
       14. A mechanism for connection as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a free end of said spring is configured as a continuous ring of material. 
     
     
       15. A mechanism for connection as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said ring is configured as a helical cut in said rigid tube. 
     
     
       16. A mechanism for connection of two or more shafts in an adjustable position relative to one another, comprising
 at least a first shaft comprised of a rigid tube having an external surface with an outer diameter, and 
 a second shaft comprising a rigid tube having a hollow portion at least at a first end, the hollow portion having an internal surface with an inner diameter, 
 wherein a first spring is anchored to an end of the first shaft, 
 the first spring having an outer diameter of similar dimensions to the inner diameter of the first end of the second shaft, 
 the first spring configured such that when a force is applied to the first spring its outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the first end of the second shaft, and 
 wherein a second spring is anchored to the first end of the second shaft, 
 the second spring having an inner diameter of similar dimensions to the outer diameter of the first shaft, 
 the second spring configured such that when a force is applied to the second spring its inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the first shaft enabling the second shaft to be moved over the first shaft to a desired position relative to the first shaft, and 
 when the force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original inner diameter to bear against the external surface of the first shaft. 
 
     
     
       17. A mechanism is claimed in  claim 16  wherein the first spring and the second spring are wound in the same direction with respect to the first shaft and the second shaft respectively. 
     
     
       18. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 16  wherein at least one end of the first spring has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the first spring at a location away from the end. 
     
     
       19. A mechanism as claimed in  claim 16  wherein at least one end of the second spring has a greater inner diameter than the inner diameter of the second spring at a location away from the end. 
     
     
       20. A mechanism for connection as claimed in  claim 16  wherein a free end of said first and second spring is configured as a continuous ring of material. 
     
     
       21. A mechanism for connection as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said spring is configured as a helical cut in said rigid tube.